This post was originally written on January 18, 2017
Updated: February 13, 2021
c. 2014 KitchenAid: 333 ppm lead.
The level of lead that is considered unsafe for an item intended for use by children is 90 ppm lead (or more) in the paint, glaze or coating OR 100 ppm Lead (or higher) in the substrate of an item. Items like this (kitchenware / dishware) are not regulated in the same way as children’s items because they are not considered to be “Items Intended for use by children.” Said another way, total Lead content (as detectable with an XRF instrument) is not limited in modern kitchenware.
I am NOT saying that this item will necessarily poison the user…
…but I AM asking… why is there any Lead at all in our kitchen items? (especially new or recently manufactured kitchen items made within the past 10 or 20 years!?) Lead is one of the most potent neurotoxins known to man, it causes permanent brain damage in young children and does not belong in our kitchens. It has also been implicated as a causal factor in fertility issues and birth complications at very low levels – levels far far below what had previously been thought to be a problem (you can read more about that on this link.) KitchenAid needs to do better (and to stop ignoring this problem.)
Check out this blog post for a lead-free alternative. And this post for more safer choices for your home!
As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts. I will likely update this post soon with more information, however in the meantime please check out the following links if you have questions:
- To see more KitchenAid brand products that I have tested, click here.
- The testing methodology for all tests reported on on this blog.
- A video showing you how to search the blog most efficiently, given there are over 2,700 posts and pages here.
- My documentary feature film on childhood Lead poisoning.
Please let me know if you have any questions. With 1.165 Million unique readers in 2020 alone I am not always able to answer each and every question personally, but I do try.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
I have a kitchenaid mixer… are there any options here? Have you tested any “off brand” attachments that are safe to use?
Please clarify whether the area testing positive for lead was the white nylon coated paddle, the rubber blade, and/or the bare metal on the internal section.